A Way to Confirm Your Husband’s True Feelings - Chapter 8
Of course, Freya only married out of necessity—and due to her own strong will—but for a family like the Ducal House of Estern, it was true that they had little to regret when it came to the marriages of their daughters.
However, unlike the three older daughters who seemed perfectly capable of living on their own, the kind and naïve youngest daughter increasingly appeared in the eyes of their aging parents as their weak spot.
“The title will be handed over to Freya within a few years, and she’ll handle the matter of succession as well… But apart from our family, wouldn’t it be best for you to build a family of your own?”
Certainly, the fact that she was born the youngest in a prosperous family and raised with overflowing love had an influence, but Beatrice was, by nature, gentle and compliant.
Often said to be the most similar to Freya out of her four younger sisters, she had never strayed from the path set by her parents, nor ever felt a desire to rebel. That was Beatrice.
And so, barring any unusual circumstances, she had intended to find a suitable man in the capital’s high society within the next few years, marry, and start a happy family—hopefully even present the Duke and Duchess with a beloved grandchild.
That being the case, even if those noblewomen viewed Margrave Valentin not as the hero who saved the Crown Prince but simply as a prospective son-in-law, showering him with glittering looks, Beatrice couldn’t blame them. After all, she herself had been struggling to find a husband from last year into this season.
Even with a good background and favorable conditions, finding a marriage partner was no easy task. Still, Beatrice’s situation could be considered somewhat better. Unlike other noble ladies who had to marry under near-coercion according to their family’s interests, her parents placed the utmost importance on her own will.
But that didn’t mean all problems were solved.
There simply… wasn’t anyone she liked.
Perhaps the only fortunate thing was that unlike last year—her debut season—when everything had felt awkward and nerve-wracking, she was now more at ease.
With this newfound composure, she figured she might be able to find someone suitable this year—maybe even get married.
At that time, she had no idea she would be formally introduced to Margrave Valentin that very evening. Nor could she have predicted that, like those noblewomen, she would begin eyeing him like a tempting prize, biding her time for an opportunity.
She humbly acknowledged that her blushing cheeks tonight were due to curiosity about the hero who had appeared like a morning star. But perhaps, without realizing it, she was deceiving herself in thinking her interest wasn’t as superficial as everyone else’s.
“Beatrice, come here, would you? You should properly introduce yourself to Margrave Valentin.”
But her shallow thoughts flipped in an instant the moment she exchanged greetings with him.
*
Beatrice slowly made her way through the crowd toward the direction Freya had beckoned. She could physically feel the attention of the surrounding nobles shift toward them at the mention of Margrave Valentin.
She wished, desperately, that her heart wouldn’t pound so loudly as she approached—and there stood a large man, radiating an overwhelming presence.
In the midst of her scattered thoughts, only Freya’s voice rang clearly in her ears.
“Margrave Valentin, this is my youngest sister. You may not know, but I actually have four younger sisters. I’m not sure I’ll be able to introduce all of them to you today. My sisters are so free-spirited, they rarely stay in one place even at a banquet.”
Freya’s voice was calm yet firm, no different from usual. It seemed she was providing a bit more background than normal, perhaps for the sake of the Margrave, who might feel awkward at an imperial banquet—but even that felt like a considerate kindness.
“His Highness Edgar personally asked me to look after the Margrave, Beatrice. Since this is his first time in the capital’s high society, there will be many people to introduce him to. If you have the chance, try to assist him however you can.”
At Freya’s words, Beatrice quietly nodded. Of all the people she could have called over, she had picked Beatrice first—perhaps because she happened to be in sight, and being family, she was easiest to introduce.
The Esterns—especially Freya—were not the sort to obsess over marrying off their daughters like other houses, so there must not have been any hidden intention behind it.
The real problem lay in Beatrice’s own heart.
“I am Beatrice of House Estern. It’s an honor to meet the new lord of Valentin.”
Caesar Valentin was a man who evoked the image of a large, sleek black wolf. And the moment she recognized that, her already frantic heartbeat began to pound uncontrollably.
